An improvement implement for cleaning ponds and the like includes features which facilitate multi-functional applications. The implement includes an open frame having a forward section with opposing side portions, a rearward section, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner surface. A plurality of tines extend downwardly from the lower surface of the forward portion of the frame. A net has a bottom defining a length and a periphery. A structure is provided for attaching the periphery of the net to the open frame such that the bottom of the net may be oriented above or below the plane of the frame without interfering with the tines. A handle attached to the rearward section of the flame.
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1. An implement for cleaning ponds, comprising:
an open, hard frame defining a plane, the frame having a forward section with opposing side portions, a rearward section, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner surface;
the frame including an integrally formed rake portion with a plurality of tines extending downwardly from the lower surface of the forward portion of the frame;
the frame further including an integrally formed raised scraper bar extending upwardly from the upper surface of the forward portion of the frame;
a net having a bottom defining a length and an opening defining a periphery;
a structure for attaching the periphery of the net to the frame such that the net can flow in either direction above or below the plane of the frame, depending upon whether a user is applying the scraper bar or the rake;
the structure for attaching the net to the frame including a ring to which the periphery of the net is attached and a plurality of spaced-apart, resilient tabs integrally formed on the frame which capture the ring and hold it in position; and
a handle attached to the rearward section of the frame.
2. The implement of
the forward and rearward sections of the frame each have a radius of curvature; and
the radius of curvature of the forward is less than that of the rearward section.
4. The implement of
5. The implement of
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This invention relates generally to pond-cleaning tools and, in particular, to a tool that combines a rake and two-directional mesh collection net.
Numerous implements have been devised for gardening, yard work and various pick-up chores. Some tools combine rake-like features with collection bags. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,688,483 discloses a multi-purpose household yard and garden tool, the main purpose of which, when fitted with a bag, is for dog refuse collection and disposal. This hand tool has a yoke on one end of the handle with a scraping or hoe blade on one side and rake teeth on the other side in the same plane with the blade. A generally U-shaped spring wire clip fits over the yoke to fasten the opened mouth end of a bag onto the yoke with either the rake teeth forward or the blade forward relative to the open mouth of the bag to enable collecting refuse in the bag. A fresh bag may be applied over the yoke end of the tool when the blade or rake teeth have been soiled during the collection of dog refuse, whereby to seal off the yoke end of the tool when a tie-string or the like is applied around the mouth end of the bag closing it tightly around the handle. Clear plastic bags obtainable on the market designed primarily for food wrapping are ideal for use on this hand tool.
Tools with mesh collection bags have also been designed for water-clearing applications. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,502 describes a tool for cleaning debris from swimming pools that includes a frame, a net and retaining means for retaining the net on the frame. The preferred retaining means is an elongated strip of resilient, flexible clips having a generally U-shaped cross-section. The preferred frame of the tool is fabricated from metal and includes an elongated, curved frame portion with its ends welded to a tubular attachment member, to permit attachment of the tool to a handle, pole or similar structure.
There have also been invented a wide variety of tools specifically intended for pond cleaning. However, these are designed to solve a specific problem, such a surface skimming, and therefore lack versatility.
This invention resides in an improvement implement for cleaning ponds and the like including features which facilitate multi-functional applications. The implement includes an open frame having a forward section with opposing side portions, a rearward section, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner surface. A plurality of tines extend downwardly from the lower surface of the forward portion of the frame. A net has a bottom defining a length and a periphery. A structure is provided for attaching the periphery of the net to the open frame such that the bottom of the net may be oriented above or below the plane of the frame without interfering with the tines. A handle attached to the rearward section of the frame.
In the preferred embodiment, the forward and rearward sections of the frame each have a radius of curvature, and the radius of curvature of the forward is less than that of the rearward section. The preferred embodiment further includes a raised scraper bar extending upwardly from the upper surface of the forward portion of the frame.
The net has an opening defining a periphery, and the periphery is attached to a ring. The frame preferably includes a plurality of resilient tabs that capture the ring and hold it in position. The tines and/or the scraper bar may have beveled tips or edges. The forward most tines may be longer than at least some of the tines extending downwardly from the side portions of the frame. The handle may be telescoping.
A mesh net 110 has an opening with a periphery that corresponds to the inner surface of the open frame 104. The periphery of the net 110 is sewn or otherwise attached to a wire frame 112. The open frame 104 includes a plurality of posts 114, each with a resilient tab. The wire frame 112 of the net 110 seats in a channel and is held in position with the tabs.
In terms of materials, the frame is preferably made of a hard resin so it safe to use in natural and artificial water features. The frame may include an inner metal ring for added strength. The handle is made of hard plastic or metal. The mesh net is preferably made from a durable synthetic fiber with openings on the order of 1/16 inch to ⅜ inch.
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Apr 20 2009 | Radius Garden LLC | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Jun 29 2009 | BAKER, BRUCE | Radius Garden LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 022890 | /0671 | |
Apr 16 2019 | RADIUS GARDEN, L L C | NORTHSHORE TOOLS, LLC | CHANGE OF NAME SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 049568 | /0917 | |
Jun 19 2019 | NORTHSHORE TOOLS, LLC | The Great States Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 049576 | /0228 |
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